In 2025, the New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to repair aging infrastructure, improve safety, and keep traffic moving across the state. The ten largest projects range from drainage and pavement preservation to major bridge reconstruction and traffic technology upgrades, reflecting the wide scope of work required to maintain one of the nation’s busiest transportation networks.

10. Smart Moves 2021 North ($14.7 million)
Location: Various municipalities across northern New Jersey.
Contractor: Daidone Electric, Inc.
Why it matters: Traffic cameras, message signs, and fiber-optic systems help NJDOT respond faster to crashes and congestion, improving safety and travel times.

9. Hanover Avenue (CR 650) bridge over I-287 ($17.5 million)
Location: Morris Township and Hanover Township, Morris County.
Contractor: Ritacco Construction, Inc.
Why it matters: Replacing the bridge deck improves safety for drivers on the local road and the interstate below while reducing long-term maintenance needs.

8. Pavement preservation South Contract-2 ($19.0 million)
Location: Various municipalities across Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
Contractor: Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc. of Hammonton, New Jersey.
Why it matters: Pavement preservation extends the life of existing roadways at a fraction of the cost of full reconstruction. This contract helps keep South Jersey roads safer and smoother while reducing long-term maintenance expenses for taxpayers.

7. 2026 World Cup ITS improvements ($20.6 million)
Location: Various locations across Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties.
Contractor: Tiffany Electric, Inc. of Parsippany, New Jersey.
Why it matters: These Intelligent Transportation Systems upgrades support travel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by improving traffic monitoring, communications, and real-time information across key corridors. The work helps manage increased travel demand while strengthening the region’s long-term traffic operations beyond the event.

6. Route 287 southbound resurfacing, Burnt Mills Road to Bailey’s Mill Road ($20.6 million)
Location: Bedminster and Bernards townships, Borough of Far Hills in Somerset County, and Harding Township in Morris County.
Contractor: Della Pello Paving, Inc. of Union, New Jersey.
Why it matters: Interstate 287 is one of North Jersey’s most heavily traveled corridors. Resurfacing this stretch improves ride quality, enhances safety, and helps extend the life of the roadway for commuters and commercial traffic moving between Morris and Somerset counties.

5. Route 46 bridge over Paulins Kill ($21.5 million)
Location: Township of Knowlton, Warren County.
Contractor: Sparwick Contracting, Inc. of Lafayette, New Jersey.
Why it matters: Route 46 is a key east–west corridor in northwest New Jersey. Replacing the bridge over Paulins Kill improves safety, protects a critical river crossing, and ensures long-term reliability for commuters, freight traffic, and emergency vehicles in a largely rural region.

4. Liberty State Park and Emergency Evacuation Terminal ($22.3 million)
Location: Liberty State Park, City of Jersey City, Hudson County.
Contractor: PKF-Mark III, Inc. of Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Why it matters: Liberty State Park serves as a critical public space and emergency evacuation point for Jersey City and surrounding areas. Improvements to the emergency evacuation terminal strengthen the region’s ability to move people safely and efficiently during emergencies while supporting long-term resilience along the Hudson River waterfront.

3. Route 15 northbound bridge over abandoned Mt. Hope Mineral Railroad ($23.2 million)
Location: Wharton Borough and Rockaway Township, Morris County.
Contractor: Union Paving & Construction Co., Inc.
Why it matters: Route 15 is a key commuter and freight route. Strengthening this bridge improves safety and reliability in an area with limited detour options.

2. Route 30, Cooper Street to Grove Street ($49.6 million)
Location: Camden, Pennsauken, Collingswood, Oaklyn, Audubon, Haddon Heights, Camden County.
Contractor: South State, Inc.
Why it matters: Route 30 is a heavily traveled corridor. Resurfacing improves safety, supports local businesses, and benefits commuters, buses, and pedestrians.

1.Route 4 Hackensack River Bridge ($154.4 million)
Location: Hackensack and Teaneck, Bergen County.
Contractor: IEW Construction Group, Inc.
Why it matters: The Hackensack River Bridge is the largest project awarded in 2025, exceeding the next largest contract by more than $100 million. The bridge carries traffic through one of North Jersey’s most congested corridors and will be replaced with a new structure, representing a long-term investment in safety, reliability, and regional mobility.

What the Data Shows

[Editor’s Note: A previous version of this chart had incorrect percentages. The pie chart has been corrected.]

New construction accounted for nearly 70 percent of spending among NJDOT’s ten largest projects in 2025, driven largely by major bridge and technology investments, while maintenance and preservation made up the remaining 31 percent. Notably, more than 60 percent of new construction spending is tied to a single project. The Route 4 Hackensack River Bridge is a critical link in one of North Jersey’s most congested corridors and a cornerstone investment in regional mobility.

Bridge projects accounted for 60 percent of spending among NJDOT’s ten largest awards in 2025, reflecting the scale and cost of replacing aging structures, while road resurfacing, traffic systems, and climate resilience projects made up the remainder.

Sources:

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Route 4 Hackensack River Bridge contract documents and bid tabulations. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Route 30 resurfacing, Cooper Street to Grove Street: Notice to contractors. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Route 15 northbound bridge over abandoned Mt. Hope Mineral Railroad: Project specifications. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Pavement preservation South Contract-2, FY 2024: Bid documents. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Hanover Avenue (CR 650) bridge over I-287: Construction plans and specifications. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Smart Moves 2021 North: Intelligent Transportation Systems program documentation. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Maintenance concrete structural repair contract, North Region: Notice to contractors. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Route 295 noise barrier construction, Lawrence Township: Project bid documents. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Route 202 and First Avenue intersection improvements: Construction specifications. Trenton, NJ.

New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2024). Drainage restoration contract, North Region (I-78 and I-80): Bid tabulations and scope of work. Trenton, NJ.